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A True 'First' -- An All-Electric SportPlane Kit

Some time ago, GreenWing assumed the rights to the Flightstar line of ultralights a reputable SportPlane line that has been built and flow for decades. However; with the addition of electric propulsion, GWI's Yuneec 24kw system on the e280 eSpyder has received German DULV certification and opened up new markets to the fledgling SportPlane builder.

The eSpyder, marketed at $39,900 for a turnkey unit, is estimated to have an operating cost of $1.60 per hour in electricity. The company claims that the eSpyder is the first all-electric ultralight to receive worldwide certification. The company flew two of the eSpyders during the Thursday air show at AirVenture in what was billed as the worlds first formation flight by a pair of electric-powered airplanes.

GreenWing said eSpyder was designed to enable quick, easy, reliable charging so that pilots can unplug the charger, roll out of the hangar, and takeoff silently and effortlessly for enjoyable flights of up to an hour. The fast charger can fully charge the batteries in about twice the flight time that has been used, for example: after a 45 minute flight, the plane can be fully charged again in 90 minutes.